MouthLondon - London Student & Youth Magazine

To Brush Or Not To Brush?

Posted on Jul 25th, 2012 by David Holloway | Editor · No comments yet · Tags: Brushing, Colgate, Gingivitis, Periodontitis, Teeth, Toothpaste

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When you’re at university there is a lot to think about. Obviously you are swamped by the amount of revision, projects and essays that have enveloped your social life, but you still go out and get drunk, party hard and try to add more notches to your bed post. However, recent studies have shown that the one thing that most students forget to care about is oral hygiene.

If you have some fun with that hot student from down the halls and you get a rash, you will go to the doctors or GUM clinic. But studies have shown that most students will do absolutely nothing when they get a tooth ache or their gums bleed because they do not believe it is as important.

…the increasing over use of high sugary drinks and foods…

The unfortunate truth is that more and more people are getting dental work because of the increasing over use of high sugary drinks and foods in our diet. As we move into the future our culture is becoming progressively lazier and because of this less of us are flossing, brushing twice a day or even using the right toothpaste.

Over 75% of the UK’s population this year will suffer from a case of Gingivitis. It is the mildest form of periodontal disease and ca­n cause the gums to become red, swollen and bleed easily. It is easily reversible with treatment and comes around from inadequate oral hygiene.

…plaque spreads and grows below the gum line…

The next big periodontal disease is Periodontitis that can develop from untreated Gingivitis. This happens when plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. The bacteria releases toxins that stimulate an inflammatory response in the gums. The body doesn’t realise what is happening and in response turns on its own flesh and bones. Gums separate from the teeth and form pockets that become infected. As the disease progresses these pockets deepen and more tissue and bone are destroyed. This continues until the teeth have to be removed.

The unfortunate truth is that most patients would not have to go through the pain and expensive dental bills if they just brushed twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, as well as flossing three times a week or used dental sticks. Using a decent toothpaste can also help as well as finding the right toothbrush for you. Using too hard a brush can remove the enamel and recede the gums, whereas a soft head cannot do enough for the right people.

…to make a nice smile and also give you good breath…

Oral hygiene doesn’t have to be a chore, but it does help to make a nice smile and also give you good breath. You may be studying or working hard, but you don’t want to pay out thousands in later life to the dentist for a task as little as brushing your teeth.